Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin introduced two significant Bills to amend the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women (Amendment) Bill, 1998 and the Bill to amend the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 in the state assembly to ensure stricter punishments for crimes against women.

This legislative move highlights the state government's commitment to creating a safer environment for women by addressing systemic issues and reinforcing justice mechanisms.

According to the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women (Amendment) Bill, the punishment for harassment of women, including digital and electronic, is three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000. This punishment will increase after the amendment comes into force, in case of first conviction - 5 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh; however, if the offence is committed later, the punishment will be increased to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10 lakh.

Currently, for causing death by harassment, if the offence is committed intentionally, the punishment is life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs. 50,000. If the offence is committed without the intention of causing death, the punishment is up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 50,000, and if you are negligent - imprisonment is up to 10 years with a fine of Rs. 5,000.

Now, the above penalties have been made stricter. The punishment for causing death through harassment will be life imprisonment and, if the death is caused intentionally, a fine of Rs. 2 lakh. Involuntary death will be punished with 15 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 2 lakh. There will be 15 years imprisonment and a Rs. 1 lakh fine for negligence.

Stalin also reminded that his government was cracking down on crimes against women. This government has ensured the filing of charge sheets in 86 per cent of cases of violence against women. The government has implemented 2.39 lakh awareness programmes on women's safety in schools, colleges, and public places. The death sentence has been confirmed within a short time for pushing a woman named Satya to her death on a railway track. Sexual violence against women is an unforgivable crime.

The Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 1998 Amendment Bill states, "The Tamil Nadu government has created a safe environment for women in the state, resulting in women empowerment. About 41% of the women in factories across India work in the state. Moreover, the state has a high enrolment rate of women in both schools and colleges."

The bill further states that to stop eve-teasing in public places, the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Eve-Telling Act, 1998 was enacted and later renamed the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 1998. More than two decades have passed since the Act came into force.

"Nowadays, harassment of women through digital and electronic means is rampant. Hence, there is an urgent need to amend the said Act to bring different types of harassment inflicted on women, including those through digital and electronic means, also within the ambit of the said Act. There is also an urgent need to enhance the punishments for harassment of women so that such deplorable acts will be curtailed and the perpetrators will face severe punishment for their crimes," the Bill demonstrated.